higher educationAL STATUS OF Sikkim

establishment of Universities

DILIP KUMAR DARJEE

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I.            Introduction

The state of Sikkim has been making headlines in educational sector since last three decades on account of her efforts having recognized at the national level.  In the year 2004, Sikkim bagged the first rank in India Today Awards in the field of education under smaller states category. During the ‘State of States’ conclave of Chief Ministers held in Delhi, the state of Sikkim was adjudged as best small state for investment, environment and education on 6th August 2005.  In the field of primary education, Sikkim ranked top amongst Small States of India in the sixth ‘State of States’ report 2008. 

With the passage of time and requirements, the Government of Sikkim have taken proactive steps towards establishments of universities thereby adding impetus to the growth, development and advancement in the system of the higher education of state. The establishment of universities in increasing number is considered as growth in the higher education. However, such universities having decent start initially with few undergraduate programmes or/and post-graduate programmes have grown into full-fledged institution of higher learning with several specialized constituent institutions and colleges accommodating several departments and units under different schools or faculties of teaching. All these, taken together can be considered as development and advancement in higher educational system of the state. Consequent to which, the aspirants of the higher education are given ample scope for choice of universities, preference of disciplines and streams available across different universities and pursuit of research studies.

II.         Different categories and types of universities established under different districts of Sikkim.

The state of Sikkim currently houses one central university, two state public universities and eleven self-financing private universities. The summary of universities currently established under different districts of Sikkim (see Table-1).

Table -1: Universities established under different districts of Sikkim as on 1^st December 2022

Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim and a prominent district of the state, has accumulation of majority of the universities covering all three categories namely central, state and private universities. Interestingly, the headquarters of all five universities are located within a stretch of five kilometres at National Highway No. 10 comprising a lone central university ‘Sikkim University’; a state university ‘Khangchendzonga State University’ and three major private universities namely Sikkim Manipal University, SRM University Sikkim and Sikkim Professional University. The total universities established under Gangtok District comprises of nine universities. However, the Districts of Namchi and Soreng have respectively two and three private universities while the remaining other three districts of the state do not have presence of any university as on date.

The establishment of universities under two districts of Namchi and Soreng is a welcomed step towards development of these districts. In addition to growth, development and advacement of higher education in these districts, the establishment of the universities is also anticipated to generate employment avenues for the locals and also filip growth of the places in other socio-economic aspects.

III.       Location, ownership type and sponsoring bodies of universities established in Sikkim

The Sikkim University being established through the Act passed by the Parliament of India is a Central University fully owned and funded by the Government of India. Whereas, two State Public Universities namely Khangchendzonga State University and Sikkim National Law University, Gangtok established through the Acts passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly are fully owned and funded by the Government of Sikkim. The Private Universities established in Sikkim through the Acts passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly are self-financing private institutions owned and funded by their respective sponsoring bodies. Taking into account, the names, type of ownerships, date of notification in official Gazettes and address of their current location under different districts of the state, the particulars of the universities established in Sikkim are furnished in the Table-2 below:-

Table -2:  Universities established under different districts of Sikkim, their current location, ownership type and sponsoring bodies as on 1^st December 2022.

Source:            Compiled by author with inputs from University Acts published in the official Gazettes, website of respective Universities and University Grants Commission (https://www.ugc.gov.in/privateuniversitylist.aspx?id=QvffocHJzD+ 4E0ZGOqfiqQ= =&Unitype=So1CNBLvrigKjpQTxHMrAQ==)  (retrieved on 6^th November 2022)

In connection with the ownership type, it is worthwhile to state that ten self-financial private universities established in the state of Sikkim are sponsored or/and owned by the trust or/and organizations incorporated and established in the other states of the country.  Several of the sponsoring bodies of the private universities established in Sikkim belong to Delhi.  However, it is also appreciable to note that one of the indigenous trusts formed by the people of Sikkim has made an effort to establish a private university, unique of its kind.

IV.        Basic information about universities established in Sikkim.

During the last three decades, the universities established in Sikkim came into existence as an artificial legal entity through different Gazette notifications published by the Central Government or/and State Government upon accent of the executive heads thereby bearing different names as enshrined in their respective Acts. The basic information about the universities as contained in their respective Acts and other related information in order of their incorporation are furnished below:-

i.          Sikkim Manipal University: The Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Sciences (SMUHMTS) came into existence as a result of an agreement signed between the Government of Sikkim and the Manipal Pai Foundation  on 15^th November 1992 as the first ever Public Private Partnership in the country for the Higher Education and Health Care Services. On 11^th October 1995, the Governor of Sikkim gave assent to ‘The Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Sciences Act, 1995 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and published in official Gazette Notification No. 184 dated: 30^th October 1995. The Sikkim Manipal University of Health Medical and Technological Sciences (Amendment) Act, 2009  passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on 12^th December 2009 and published in official Gazette Notification No. 13/LD/P/2010 dated: 8^th April 2010 thereafter shortened its name as Sikkim Manipal University (SMU). The Sikkim Manipal University is fully established in terms of the infrastructure and academic progresses and achievements. Under its two major campuses, one is fully dedicated to medical and healthcare services, educations and teachings, while other one for technological educations and teachings. Its medical campus at Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim houses University headquarters along with three distinguished constituent colleges namely [a] Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS); [b] Sikkim Manipal College of Nursing (SMCON); and [c] Sikkim Manipal College of Physiotherapy (SMCPT) together with a multi-speciality hospital called Central Referral Hospital (CRH), Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (DHSS).  The other campus at Majitar, Rangpo houses Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT).

ii.          Khangchendzonga State University (erstwhile Sikkim State University): On the historic day of the 12^th June 2003, “The Sikkim University Bill, 2003” was tabled in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and the Sikkim University came into existence as a lone State Public University under the Government of Sikkim as one of its kind through an Act No. 5 of 2003 named as ‘The Sikkim University Act, 2003’ which was published in official Gazette Notification No. 195 dated: 24^th June 2003.  However, in the year 2017, the Act was amended thereby changing the university name from ‘Sikkim University’ to ‘Sikkim State University’ and also became functional with effect from 6^th July 2018 upon joining by its Founding Vice Chancellor. The university was further renamed as ‘Khangchendzonga State University’ by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly through ‘The Sikkim State University (Amendment) Act, 2021’. The University office located within the premises of the Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College (NBBGC), Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim started with only two post graduate departments, viz Nepali and Sanskrit.  Despite of being empowered as an affiliating university under the Government of Sikkim, none of the colleges or/and institutions of the state government are currently affiliated under it. As contained in the Demand No. 7 of the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, the university is receiving Grant-in-Aid for its operation and functioning since the financial year 2019-20.

The ICFAI University, Sikkim: The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI) University, Sikkim was established as a private university through ‘The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University Sikkim Act, 2004 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which received assent of the Governor of Sikkim on 4^th October 2004 and notified in official Gazette Notification No. 9/LD/2004 dated: 15^th October 2004. The establishment of this university is sponsored by the ICFAI Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.   The ICFAI University, Sikkim located at Ranka Road, Gangtok, East Sikkim currently has twenty-one major programmes (comprising thirteen UG programmes and eight PG programmes) under five different schools of [a] Management Studies; [b] Information Technology; [c] Legal Studies; [d] Humanities & Social Sciences; [e] Hospitality & Tourism Management.

iii.          Sikkim University:  The Sikkim University was established under an Act No. 10 of 2007 called ‘The Sikkim University Act, 2006’ passed by the Parliament of India on 2^nd July 2007 and upon assent of the President on the 10th January 2007, published in official Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Notification No. S.O. 1053(E) dated: 29th June 2007. The preamble of the Sikkim University Act, 2006 states one of its purposes as “An Act to establish and incorporate a teaching and affiliating University in the State of Sikkim” and as per the description contained therein under the title jurisdiction, entire higher educational institutions existing in Sikkim having incorporated by law of the land were required to avail privileges exclusively under the Sikkim University. Prior to establishment of the Sikkim University, the entire private and the government colleges existing in the state of Sikkim had their affiliation under the University of North Bengal (NBU) located in the neighbouring state of West Bengal. Subsequently, those colleges upon de-affiliation from University of North Bengal received affiliation under Sikkim University in pursuance to its objective and purpose. Besides, the Sikkim University with thirty-two specialized departments under six major schools continues to serve as an important institution of higher studies to the students of entire North East states and West Bengal.

iv.          Sikkim Alpine University (formerly known as EIILM University, Sikkim): The EIILM University at Jorethang, Sikkim was established as a Private University through ‘The Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management (EIILM) University Act, 2006 passed by Sikkim Legislative Assembly which received assent of the Governor on 24^th March 2006 and published in the official Gazette Notification No. 28/LD/2006 dated: 3rd April 2006. The establishment of this university was sponsored by the Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management (EIILM), Kolkata established in 1995. Whereas, as per notice bearing no.55/Dir(HE)/HRDD dated: 30th April 2015, the State Government approved dissolution of the EIILM University. However, through passing of ‘The Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management University (Amendment) Act, 2021 by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and published in the official Gazette Notification No. 16/L&PAD/2021 date: 24^th June 2021, the  name of the university got changed to Sikkim Alpine University (SAP) and existing sponsor of the university got replaced by Advance Education and Research Foundation (AMOGH), A-127, Vikash Vihar, Kakroula Road, New Delhi. Consequent upon recent amendment to the Act, and after a long gap of five years, the university in new name under the sponsorship of new sponsoring body started its operation with its campus located at Kamrang, Namchi, South Sikkim – 737126.

v.          Sikkim Professional University (erstwhile Vinayaka Missions Sikkim University): The Vinayaka Missions Sikkim University (VMSU) was established as a private university in the year 2008 through ‘The Vinayaka Missions Sikkim University Act, 2008 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly upon assent of the Governor on 28^th June 2008 and published in the official Gazette Notification No. 11/LD/P/2008 date: 29^th July 2008.  The establishment of this university is sponsored by the Thiumuruga Kirupananda Variyar Thavathru Sundara Swamigal Medical Education and Charitable Trust. It was renamed as ‘Sikkim Professional University’ vide ‘The Vinayaka Missions Sikkim University (Amendment) Act, 2020. The university currently has two campuses at Tadong under Gangtok District and another at Budang under Soreng District with several constituent colleges, some prominent one listed being [a] College of Arts; [b] College of Commerce; [c] College of Engineering; [d] College of Business and Management; [e] College of Nursing; [f] College of Pharmaceutical & Paramedical Science; [g] College of Library & information Sciences, and [h] College of Computing & Information Technology.

vi.          Shri Ramasamy Memorial University, Sikkim: The SRM University, Sikkim was established as a private university on 24^th October 2013 through ‘The Shri Ramasamy Memorial University, Sikkim Act, 2013 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which received assent of the Governor on 9^th October 2013 and notified in official Gazette Notification No. 13/LD/P/13 dated: 22^nd October 2013. The establishment of this university is sponsored by the SRM Trust, No. 3 Veerasamy Street, West Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The SRM University, Sikkim located at NH10, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim currently having different programmes under several  departments or/and schools within three distinct faculties of studies, namely [a] Faculty of Information Technology, Management & Commerce; [b] Faculty of Sciences; and [c] Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities.

vii.           Sikkim National Law University, Gangtok: On 14^th day of March 2018, the Governor of Sikkim gave assent to ‘The Sikkim National Law University Act, 2018 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and published in official Gazette Notification No. 122 [No. 05/LD/18] dated: 22^nd March 2018 thereby making existence of another State Public University under the aegis of Education Department, Government of Sikkim. With the Chief Justice of India or his/her nominee from amongst the Judges of the Supreme Court as Visitor of the University and the Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim as the Chancellor of University, a set of eleven objectives are enshrined in the Act, related to legal education and teaching, knowledge, processes and their role in national development, research in all branches of law, promotion of legal and ethical values, social and economic justice etc. The commencement of the Act initially fixed on 1^st July 2019 was rectified to 13^th June 2018 vide ‘The Sikkim National Law University (Amendment) Act, 2018 (Act No. 12 of 2018) and published in official Gazette Notification No. 316 [No. 12/LD/18] dated: 13^th June 2018. The university is receiving Grant-in-Aid for its operation and functioning since the financial year 2021-22 as contained in the Demand No. 7 of the Education Department, Government of Sikkim.

viii.          Khangchendzonga Buddhist University: The Khangchendzonga Buddhist University is a self-financing Private University established through the Khangchendzonga Buddhist University, Sikkim Act, 2020 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which received assent of the Governor on 21^st September 2020 and notified in the official Gazette Notification No. 15/LD/2020 dated: 7^th October 2020. The establishment of this university is sponsored by the Denzong Charities Trust, Sikkim.

ix.          Medhavi Skills University, Sikkim: The Medhavi Skills University, Sikkim is a self-financing Private Skills University established through the Medhavi Skills University, Sikkim Act, 2021 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which received assent of the Governor on 18th June 2021 and notified in the official Gazette Notification No. 14/L&PAD/2021 dated: 24^th June 2021. The establishment of this university is sponsored by the Medhavi Foundation, Rajasthall, Pitampura, New Delhi - 110034.

x.          Sikkim International University: The Sikkim International University, Sikkim is a self-financing Private University established through the Sikkim International University Act, 2021 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which received assent of the Governor on 18th June 2021 and notified in the office Gazette Notification No. 15/L&PAD/2021 dated: 28^th June 2021.  The establishment of this university is sponsored by the Research and Gyan for Noble Upliftment Trust.

xi.          Sikkim Skill University: The Sikkim Skill University is established as a private university through ‘The Sikkim Skill University Act, 2021 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which received assent of the Governor on 9^th December 2021 and notified in official Gazette Notification No. 29/L&PAD/2021 dated: 16^th December 2021. The establishment of this university is sponsored by the K.V.N. Skill Foundation, Delhi, India which is a non-profit organization registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.  As per the Act, the University shall be situated and have its headquarters in the Namthang, Rateypani, South, Sikkim.

xii.          Capital University: The Capital University is established as a private university through ‘The Capital University Act, 2022 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which received assent of the Governor on 4^th April 2022 and notified in official Gazette Notification No. 02/L&PAD/2022 dated: 20^th April 2022.  The establishment of this university is sponsored by the Ch. Charan Singh Educational Foundation (CCSEF) incorporated on 26^th September 2021 under the Indian Companies Act, 2013.

xiii.          Mahatma Gandhi University: The Mahatma Gandhi University is established as a private university through ‘The Mahatma Gandhi University Sikkim Act, 2022 passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which received assent of the Governor on 25^th August 2022 and notified in official Gazette Notification No. 11 (656) L&PAD/2021/15 dated: 15^th September 2022. The establishment of this university is sponsored by the Council of Allied Science of India (CASI) incorporated on 26^th June 2020 under the Indian Companies Act, 2013.

V.          growth, development and advancement of the higher education through    establishment of universities in Sikkim

The period of time between the years 1992 to 2022 is most significant towards growth, development and advancement in the higher education of Sikkim. The year 1992 can be considered as a beginning or conceptualization for establishment of university in state.  This is due to the fact that the establishment of universities began with an agreement signed by the Government of Sikkim with the Manipal Pai Foundation in the year 1992 for a Public Private Partnership in higher education and health care services which resulted into establishment of Sikkim Manipal University in the year 1995.

As entire government and private colleges of Sikkim were affiliated under the University of North Bengal located in West Bengal, there was a long pressing requirement for establishment of a State Public University for their affiliation in order to comply with territorial jurisdiction criteria stipulated by the University Grants Commission. This must had made impetus in establishment of a State Public University named Sikkim University with enactment of the Sikkim University Act, 2003.  However, for the reason unknown, the university did not become functional until the year 2017. Whereas, the year 2007 gave birth to a Central University with analogous name which fulfilled the requirement for affiliation of colleges and institutions of Sikkim.  In the year 2018, the enactment of ‘The Sikkim National Law University Act, 2018’ brought another State Public University unique of its kind in the sphere of judicial and legal education in the state.

In case of the private university, the state of Sikkim observed establishments of three universities between the years 2004 to 2008 and another in the year 2013. After some gap, the highest rise in the private universities in Sikkim is recorded during the years 2020 to 2022. As on date, the state of Sikkim has a total of fourteen universities of different categories and types. 

The year beginning 1992 and ending on 2022 can be marked as three most crucial decades for establishment of universities towards growth, development and advancement of higher education in Sikkim. Based on the year of enactment of respective acts, the establishment and growth of the universities in Sikkim have been charted out in block of ten year (see Table3).

Table -3: Significant decades in the history of Sikkim for growth of universities

In the last three decades, the Government of Sikkim has played a crucial role for growth and development in the education sector of the state and especially with more emphasis on the higher educational system. The establishment of central, state and private universities in the state made huge impetus to growth, development and advancement in the higher education system of Sikkim. The total of fourteen universities as on date reflects the ideologies and long-term vision of the Government of Sikkim towards making this tiny state, a hub for higher educational opportunities. All the universities taken together, there is no dearth of specialization in undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the state ranging from general to professional education comprising medical, paramedical, nursing, pharmacy, hotel management, travel and tourism management, technical and technological studies in several disciplines, vocational studies, and so on.  In all these universities, reservations are made for local students for their higher studies and concessional seats under nomination of students by the Government of Sikkim. With the intervention of the State Government, majority of the private universities are providing subsidies in admission fees or/and tuition fees to the local students. 

VI.       Conclusion

The Government of Sikkim have been able to increase the number of universities in the state thereby making growth and improvement, development and advancement in the qualities of the higher educational system.  This has also provided all the aspirants of the higher education with ample scope for choice of universities, preference of disciplines and streams available across different universities and pursuit of research studies.  In terms of the per capita availability of the universities in ratio of population, the state of Sikkim most probably stands highest amongst other states in the country.

The several universities established in the state of Sikkim mostly started their academic teaching in under-graduate or/and few post-graduate programmes, but they have presently grown up to the state of providing research studies under several disciplines or stream of teachings.  This has gone to fulfil the dreams of the aspirants of the research studies to pursue research on several aspects of the state. 

The increasing numbers of universities established in the state of Sikkim reflects the growth in the higher education.  However, the increase in the disciplines and streams of teaching together with increase in number of the constituent colleges or/and institutions under these universities indicates development and advancement in the higher education of the state.

[ This article come from author’s upcoming book titled “Status of Higher Education of Sikkim, Part-1 : Objectives and Purposes for Establishment of Universities” . Email: dilipkumar1974@gmail.com]